Itinerary
Click to expand the various itinerary options for this route. Itineraries indicated as * Recommended * are chosen for their duration, acclimatization and good route profile
Day 1 - Arrival and pre-climb briefing day
Today has no planned activities and is only an arrival day for you to reach your base lodge in time for a pre-climb briefing with your mountain guide. A shared shuttle airport transfer is included from Kilimanjaro International Airport to Arusha (or optionally Moshi if also trekking Kilimanjaro).
- Approx driving distance: 1-2 hours
- Approx trekking time: None
- Approx trekking distance: None
- Start Altitude: Unknown
- End Altitude: Unknown
- Highest Altitude reached: Unknown
- Altitude +gain / -loss: Unknown
- Meals included: None
Overnight (optional) at Meru View Lodge
Style: Mid-range lodge
Location: Arusha, just outside of the park
Altitude: Unknown
Overnight (optional) at Rivertrees Country Inn
Style: High range lodge
Location: Arusha, outside of town center
Altitude: Unknown
Overnight (optional) at Bristol Cottages
Style: Mid-range lodge
Location: Moshi, town center
Altitude: Unknown
Overnight (optional) at Chanya Lodge
Style: Mid-range lodge
Location: Moshi, outside of town center
Altitude: Unknown
Day 2 - Arusha (or Moshi) to Arusha National Park (Momella gate) to Miriakamba Hut
You will be transferred by road from Arusha (09:00am) or Moshi to Momella gate inside of Arusha National Park. After registration you trek today through the grassland and into the rain forest with your guide and armed ranger (shared by all groups for everyone’s safety whilst you hike near wildlife). You may encounter some wild animals such as buffalo, giraffes, zebras or antelopes and plenty of bird and plant species on your way to Miriakamba hut.
- Approx driving distance: 1-3 hours
- Approx trekking time: 4-6 hours
- Approx trekking distance: 14km or 8.5mi
- Start Altitude: 1640m or 5380ft
- End Altitude: 2515m or 8250ft
- Highest Altitude reached: 2515m or 8250ft
- Altitude +gain / -loss: +875 or +2870ft
- Meals included: Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner
Overnight at Miriakamba Hut
Style: Shared mountain huts
Location: Rainforest, Arusha National Park (Mt Meru)
Altitude: 2515m or 8250ft
Day 3 - Miriakamba Hut to Saddle Hut to Little Meru peak (optional)
Today’s hike is steep and leaves the rain forest behind and takes you into the heather & moorland zone ascending through the changed landscape along the edges of the saddle between the Meru peaks as you start to get views of the Crater and Ash Tray. After arriving at the Saddle Huts you can hike further to the peak of ‘Little Meru’ for additional acclimatization before your summit attempt.
- Approx driving distance: None
- Approx trekking time: 3-4 hours
- Approx trekking distance: 11km or 7mi
- Start Altitude: 2515m or 8250ft
- End Altitude: 3565m or 11695ft
- Highest Altitude reached: 3800m or 12470ft
- Altitude +gain / -loss: +1285m or +4220ft / -235m or -775ft
- Meals included: Breakfast, picnic lunch or lunch, dinner
Overnight at Saddle Hut
Style: Shared mountain huts
Location: Heather and moorland, Arusha National Park (Mt Meru)
Altitude: 3565m or 11695ft
Day 4 - Saddle Hut to Socialist Peak to Arusha National Park (Momella gate) to Arusha
In the early morning (around 00:00am) you begin your final ascent to the summit of Meru through the alpine zone. The trek is a steep hike over loose volcanic scree taking you to Rhino Point (3800m or 12470ft) then to Cobra point (4350m or 14270ft) before reaching the ridge of ash and rock till the Socialist Peak (4566m or 14980ft) which is Tanzania’s second highest and Africa’s 4th highest mountain top where you may enjoy sunrise before descending back through the trail all the way down to Momella gate where our vehicle will be waiting to take you back to Arusha (or Moshi) town. Usually, the crew will leave you at Momella gate and it’s a perfect opportunity to say goodbye and a great location to hand your optional tip to the crew as a token of your appreciation.
- Approx driving distance: None
- Approx trekking time: 15-18 hours
- Approx trekking distance: 25km or 15.5mi
- Start Altitude: 3565m or 11695ft
- End Altitude: 1640m or 5380ft
- Highest Altitude reached: 4566m or 14980ft (Peak!)
- Altitude +gain / -loss: +1001m or 3285ft / -2926m or -9600ft
- Meals included: Breakfast, picnic lunch or lunch
Overnight (optional) at Meru View Lodge
Style: Mid-range lodge
Location: Arusha, just outside of the park
Altitude: Unknown
Overnight (optional) at Rivertrees Country Inn
Style: High range lodge
Location: Arusha, outside of town center
Altitude: Unknown
Overnight (optional) at Bristol Cottages
Style: Mid-range lodge
Location: Moshi, town center
Altitude: Unknown
Overnight (optional) at Chanya Lodge
Style: Mid-range lodge
Location: Moshi, outside of town center
Altitude: Unknown
Day 5 - Departure day or continue with next activity
Today has no planned activities and is only a departure day for you head home (time and flight to be confirmed), continue with your next tour activity or book extra nights to recover. Speak to a tour consultant for all of your options.
- Approx driving distance: 1-2 hours
- Approx trekking time: None
- Approx trekking distance: None
- Start Altitude: Unknown
- End Altitude: Unknown
- Highest Altitude reached: Unknown
- Altitude +gain / -loss: Unknown
- Meals included: Breakfast
No overnight accommodation included
Day 1 - Arrival and pre-climb briefing day
Today has no planned activities and is only an arrival day for you to reach your base lodge in time for a pre-climb briefing with your mountain guide. A shared shuttle airport transfer is included from Kilimanjaro International Airport to Arusha (or optionally Moshi if also trekking Kilimanjaro).
- Approx driving distance: 1-2 hours
- Approx trekking time: None
- Approx trekking distance: None
- Start Altitude: Unknown
- End Altitude: Unknown
- Highest Altitude reached: Unknown
- Altitude +gain / -loss: Unknown
- Meals included: None
Overnight (optional) at Meru View Lodge
Style: Mid-range lodge
Location: Arusha, just outside of the park
Altitude: Unknown
Overnight (optional) at Rivertrees Country Inn
Style: High range lodge
Location: Arusha, outside of town center
Altitude: Unknown
Overnight (optional) at Bristol Cottages
Style: Mid-range lodge
Location: Moshi, town center
Altitude: Unknown
Overnight (optional) at Chanya Lodge
Style: Mid-range lodge
Location: Moshi, outside of town center
Altitude: Unknown
Day 2 - Arusha (or Moshi) to Arusha National Park (Momella gate) to Miriakamba Hut
You will be transferred by road from Arusha (09:00am) or Moshi to Momella gate inside of Arusha National Park. After registration you trek today through the grassland and into the rain forest with your guide and armed ranger (shared by all groups for everyone’s safety whilst you hike near wildlife). You may encounter some wild animals such as buffalo, giraffes, zebras or antelopes and plenty of bird and plant species on your way to Miriakamba hut.
- Approx driving distance: 1-3 hours
- Approx trekking time: 4-6 hours
- Approx trekking distance: 14km or 8.5mi
- Start Altitude: 1640m or 5380ft
- End Altitude: 2515m or 8250ft
- Highest Altitude reached: 2515m or 8250ft
- Altitude +gain / -loss: +875 or +2870ft
- Meals included: Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner
Overnight at Miriakamba Hut
Style: Shared mountain huts
Location: Rainforest, Arusha National Park (Mt Meru)
Altitude: 2515m or 8250ft
Day 3 - Miriakamba Hut to Saddle Hut to Little Meru peak (optional)
Today’s hike is steep and leaves the rain forest behind and takes you into the heather & moorland zone ascending through the changed landscape along the edges of the saddle between the Meru peaks as you start to get views of the Crater and Ash Tray. After arriving at the Saddle Huts you can hike further to the peak of ‘Little Meru’ for additional acclimatization before your summit attempt.
- Approx driving distance: None
- Approx trekking time: 3-4 hours
- Approx trekking distance: 11km or 7mi
- Start Altitude: 2515m or 8250ft
- End Altitude: 3565m or 11695ft
- Highest Altitude reached: 3800m or 12470ft
- Altitude +gain / -loss: +1285m or +4220ft / -235m or -775ft
- Meals included: Breakfast, picnic lunch or lunch, dinner
Overnight at Saddle Hut
Style: Shared mountain huts
Location: Heather and moorland, Arusha National Park (Mt Meru)
Altitude: 3565m or 11695ft
Day 4 - Saddle Hut to Socialist Peak to Miriakamba Huts
In the early morning (around 00:00am) you begin your final ascent to the summit of Meru through the alpine zone. The trek is a steep hike over loose volcanic scree taking you to Rhino Point (3800m or 12470ft) then to Cobra point (4350m or 14270ft) before reaching the ridge of ash and rock till the Socialist Peak (4566m or 14980ft) which is Tanzania’s second highest and Africa’s 4th highest mountain top where you may enjoy sunrise before descending back through the trail all the way down to the rain forest zone with your night at Miriakamba huts.
- Approx driving distance: None
- Approx trekking time: 12-15 hours
- Approx trekking distance: 18km or 11mi
- Start Altitude: 3565m or 11695ft
- End Altitude: 2515m or 8250ft
- Highest Altitude reached: 4566m or 14980ft (Peak!)
- Altitude +gain / -loss: +1001m or 3285ft / -2051m or -6730ft
- Meals included: Breakfast, picnic lunch or lunch, dinner
Overnight at Miriakamba Hut
Style: Shared mountain huts
Location: Rainforest, Arusha National Park (Mt Meru)
Altitude: 2515m or 8250ft
Day 5 - Mirikamba Huts to Arusha National Park (Momella gate) to Arusha
Your final day on Meru is a quick descent through the same rain forest as on the first day until Momella gate where our vehicle will be waiting to take you back to Arusha (or Moshi) town. Usually, the crew will leave you at Momella gate and it’s a perfect opportunity to say goodbye and a great location to hand your optional tip to the crew as a token of your appreciation.
- Approx driving distance: 1-2 hours
- Approx trekking time: 3-5 hours
- Approx trekking distance: 7km or 4.5mi
- Start Altitude: 2515m or 8250ft
- End Altitude: 2515m or 8250ft
- Highest Altitude reached: 2515m or 8250ft
- Altitude +gain / -loss: -875m or -2870ft
- Meals included: Breakfast, picnic lunch or lunch
Overnight (optional) at Meru View Lodge
Style: Mid-range lodge
Location: Arusha, just outside of the park
Altitude: Unknown
Overnight (optional) at Rivertrees Country Inn
Style: High range lodge
Location: Arusha, outside of town center
Altitude: Unknown
Overnight (optional) at Bristol Cottages
Style: Mid-range lodge
Location: Moshi, town center
Altitude: Unknown
Overnight (optional) at Chanya Lodge
Style: Mid-range lodge
Location: Moshi, outside of town center
Altitude: Unknown
Day 6 - Departure day or continue with next activity
Today has no planned activities and is only a departure day for you head home, continue with your next tour activity or book extra nights to recover. Speak to a tour consultant for all of your options.
- Approx driving distance: 1-2 hours
- Approx trekking time: None
- Approx trekking distance: None
- Start Altitude: Unknown
- End Altitude: Unknown
- Highest Altitude reached: Unknown
- Altitude +gain / -loss: Unknown
- Meals included: Breakfast
No overnight accommodation included
Price, includes, add-ons and excludes
Prices depend on your group size, exact route chosen, dates of travel and much more. Please contact our sales team for a tailor made quote! You can see our standard includes, optional extras / add-ons / comfort upgrades and standard excludes below.
Standard packages usually include
- All taxes and VAT applicable
- Optional shared return airport shuttle transfers from / to Kilimanjaro International Airport
- 1 night(s) before the climb at a pre climb lodge in Moshi or Arusha on bed and breakfast basis
- 1 night(s) after the climb at a post climb lodge in Moshi or Arusha on bed and breakfast basis
- All National Park conservation, park entry, hut and rescue fees as applicable
- Compulsory armed park ranger (provided by the park and shared by all groups trekking on the day)
- Trained, certified, and experienced English-speaking Mountain guide/s
- 1 x luggage porter carrying personal luggage of 12kg per person max
- Luggage porters to carry all equipment and food provisions.
- 1 x bed space in the shared mountain huts (allocated by the park) with a basic sleeping mattress provided by the park
- Trained and experienced personal mountain cook and waiter porter
- All meals on the mountain and eating utensils and cutlery
- Pre-climb briefing and equipment check with the guide in Moshi or Arusha
- 1 x transfer from a Moshi or Arusha based lodge to park gates per group
- 1 x transfer from park gates to a Moshi or Arusha based lodge per group
- Luggage storage while on trek
- Boiled drinking water on trek (from 1st hut onwards)
- Twice daily health checks with guides and a high-grade medical oximeter
- 1 first aid kit per group
- Sanitizers, and small personal wash basin
- Shared public toilet facilities at public huts
- 1 x approx. 100Ltr rubberized hold all bag / packsack for personal duffel bag
Optional extras, add-ons and comfort upgrades
- Extra Pre climb or post climb accommodation
- Emergency oxygen cylinders
- Comfort upgrades such as an upgraded menu, celebration items etc.
- Private airport / non-group gate transfers and out of Moshi or Arusha transfers
- Domestic flights
- One day trips
- Flying Doctors Emergency Evacuation membership
- Extra guides or porters
- Personal mountain equipment such as sleeping bags, walking poles, duffel bags etc.
- Pre-included tip / fair living wage salary
- Extra days on the mountain
Standard packages usually exclude
- Tips / gratuities
- Single hut
- Beverages such as soft drinks, alcohol etc.
- International flights
- Insurance
- Visas
- Items of a personal nature
- Water on first day of trek
- Metal & hard plastic water bottles, water bladders etc. (note: soft plastics are not permitted on the mountain)
When to visit
These recommendations are based on weather patterns and trends. Mountains are extremely unpredictable and we always recommend you to be prepared for any weather outcome regardless of the predicted season.
Excellent time
January, February, July, August, September, October
Within our predicted dry season, these months generally have dry conditions and good mountain weather making the trek more achievable. These are also the busiest months and you may find all routes are busy in this period.
Good time
March, June, November, December
These months generally are between our dry season and wet season where conditions are generally dry on the mountain however you may still experience some rain. These are generally great months for those looking to avoid the crowds as most will travel in the excellent time above.
Mixed time
April, May
Our predicted 'long rain' season in Tanzania where the chances of rain are high and downpours can be heavy (tropical!) and make trekking very difficult. For a seasoned mountaineer this can be a great time to avoid all of the crowds who usually skip these months.
Other routes
If this isn't the right route for you, some of the below are alternative routes to consider.
Combine with
This package is usually combined with one of the below. We can also tailor a custom itinerary combining any of our packages for you.
Why choose Shah Tours for your Kilimanjaro trek?
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